Delray Beach is the most fun small town in Florida. This Village by the Sea offers excitement, relaxation, public art, art galleries, exclusive boutiques, cultural opportunities, fine dining, cafés, and more.
Located on the east coast of south Florida, Delray Beach boasts two miles of immaculate beach in South Palm Beach County on the Atlantic Ocean. Delray Beach, one of the 39 cities in The Palm Beaches, is sandwiched between West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach on the north and Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami on the south. You’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in America here.
Beaches and Waterfront Activities
1. Delray Municipal Beach
The Delray Municipal Beach, at the end of Atlantic Avenue, covers 1.5 miles of coastline and offers sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and other water sports. Two recreational areas are designated for playing Frisbee, paddleball, kite flying, and paddleboards. Lifeguards are on duty from September to March. The City provides umbrellas, chairs, and cabana rentals.
The Delray Beach Pavilion, located on A1A at the entrance to the beach, is an excellent place to people-watch in the shade.
2. Atlantic Dunes Park
A boardwalk and hard-packed nature trail at Atlantic Dunes Park offer a quieter beach experience about a mile south of Delray Municipal Beach. With handicapped parking next to the park and two Surf Chairs available for the physically challenged, the beach is accessible for most people.
3. Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park is about three miles north of Delray Municipal Beach and is a great family beach. It offers a kids’ playground, barbeques, and a shaded picnic area.
Read More: Best Florida Beaches for Families
Parks and Natural Attractions
4. Wakodahatchee Wetlands
Birdwatching and alligator sightings are a highlight at Wakodahatchee Wetlands. When I was there, many photographers with long, expensive lenses were making their way into the park.
This Great Florida Birding Trail boasts over 178 species of birds identified here, as well as fish, frogs, raccoons, turtles, alligators, and rabbits.
Located on Jog Road, about five miles from Downtown Delray Beach and behind the water treatment plant, 50 acres of unused utility land was converted to wetlands that naturally purify reclaimed water. The wetlands are free to enter and are open to the public.
SheBuysTravel Tip: When you visit, park in the designated lot. Guards are posted at the intersection to the water plant and quickly direct visitors who stray.
5. Sandoway House Discovery Center
Marine life exploration and shark feedings are featured in the 1936 beachfront house converted to a nature center, the Sandoway House Discovery Center, on Ocean Boulevard. Hands-on learning experiences focus on Florida’s fragile ecosystems and their inhabitants, and you can take a self-guided tour through the historic home.
6. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Exploring Japanese culture and bonsai collections at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens allows visitors to experience Japanese works of art and six distinct historical gardens.
The gardens are inspired by significant gardens in Japan but are not replicas. Visitors are encouraged to cultivate a more fundamental relationship with life as they stroll through the grounds.
The museum features artifacts and Japanese art from the museum’s collection and pieces borrowed from private collectors and other institutions throughout the year.
7. Everglades
The Everglades stretches over the southern part of Florida across 1.5 million acres. You can access Everglades National Park via Miami or Everglades City in the northern section or the south section through Homestead.
Day trips to see Florida’s unique wetland ecosystems will allow you to explore this subtropical climate and observe wildlife on guided tours, airboats, and boating tours.
8. Lake Ida
Once a part of the Everglades, Lake Ida is a natural region of tropical wetlands. Seminole Indians were here before and during the pioneer days. Around 1917, the Everglades draining reduced the water level to its current size. Draining wetlands was typical in Florida to make way for population growth and development.
William S. Linton named Lake Ida after his wife. He was one of the founders of Delray Beach,
Less than two miles from Downtown Delray Beach, Lake Ida is popular for boating, fishing, and watersports today.
9. The Girls Strawberry U-Pick
Family-friendly fruit picking at The Girls Strawberry U-Pick is a highly rated activity by TripAdvisor. An organic gourmet country store, The Girls welcomes you to their strawberry patch. Even if strawberries are not in season and there’s nothing to pick, you can relax in their lush garden or stroll around the grounds.
Activities include a petting zoo, swans, exotic birds, and a mining station where you can pan for minerals and gems or participate in a duck derby. After you ride on the Strawberry Express Train, go inside for New York-style pizza and homemade ice cream. These activities are suitable for all age groups.
Read More: 13 Fab and Fun Things to Do in West Palm Beach
Museums and Cultural Centers
10. Old School Square
Old School Square is the arts and cultural hub in Downtown Delray Beach, with events and galleries in restored 20th-century school buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
When I was there, the Amphitheatre was alive, with musicians entertaining in the outdoor concert and performance venue. It made for a great background sound while I interacted with the sculptures in front of the Cornell Art Museum.
11. Cornell Art Museum
The Cornell Art Museum presents contemporary art exhibitions in the 1913 Delray Elementary building.
The front of the museum faces Atlantic Avenue, a busy thoroughfare where drivers patiently wait for traffic to move. For several blocks, many popular restaurants serve patrons on both sides of the street in this historic beach town.
12. Silverball Museum
The Silverball Museum is a colorful, loud (they provide ear plugs), interactive museum with classic pinball and arcade games. Remarkable murals cover the front and side of the building. Watching the patrons try their luck and skill with pinball machines and other 1950s arcade games is fun.
Arts and Entertainment
13. Pineapple Grove Arts District
Gallery hopping and public art are a real treat in the Pineapple Grove Arts District. From painted sidewalks and marble and metal sculptures to block-long murals, the Cornell Art Museum, and live music, the vibe on the streets is exciting and fun in Downtown Delray Beach.
14. Saltwater Brewery
Saltwater Brewery is the first production microbrewery founded by local Floridians and has a tasting room and beer garden. Every day, they offer live music and food truck fare. Take advantage of the Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from noon to 6 pm. They are located on Atlantic Ave. near Interstate 95.
15. Golf in The Palm Beaches
Florida’s Golf Capital boasts more than 160 golf courses, from miniature golf and public golf courses to championship links.
Putt’n Around, miniature golf with fun themes for the entire family, is open 365 days a year. The mini golf course features two 18-hole courses and food delivery hole-side.
Shopping and Dining
Shops, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife are the trademarks of Downtown Delray Beach. Boutique shopping for beachwear and souvenirs with a Florida beach theme is on Atlantic Avenue and many side streets.
Places to Eat
With so many gourmet dining experiences in Delray Beach, it is difficult to mention them all. I share here my personal experience and one highly recommended restaurant.
Campi at The Ray Hotel
When I travel, I often eat dinner at the hotel where I’m staying. That saves the hassle of driving, finding a parking place, and avoiding driving after drinking. It’s a bonus when the restaurant on The Ray Hotel’s ground floor is as good as Campi.
I ordered a NY Strip steak with glazed cippolini onion in a red wine sauce, preceded by a Caesar salad and antipasti. The dinner rolls paired with olive oil for dipping were crisp and delicious.
Lulu’s
While I didn’t have time to eat at Lulu’s, it was recommended by several people I met. They specialize in a shareable charcuterie board with a selection of cheeses and meats served with crackers, fig jam, honey, grapes, and olives. Also on the menu are sandwiches, salads and bowls, and entrees like pork chops, plates of pasta, chicken, salmon, and steaks.
Where to Stay
The Ray Hotel
Many options for lodging are available in Delray Beach to meet all budgets. I stayed at The Ray Hotel Delray Beach in the heart of the Pineapple Grove Arts District. Within a short walk of Atlantic Avenue, nightlife, museums, public art, dining, and wellness sessions, The Ray Hotel,
In addition to the on-site restaurant, a rooftop pool, and The Cube meeting space, I enjoyed the spacious suite with a kitchenette and dining area and the balcony where I could enjoy the sunset or my morning coffee as I watched the Village wake up.
Read More: Where to Stay in Delray Beach
The Seagate Hotel & Spa
The Seagate Hotel offers guests beach club access to private and exclusive space on the beach, private cabanas, and poolside lounging.
Read More: Luxe and Lovely: Florida’s Top Palm Beach Resorts
How To Get To Delray Beach
Fly
Miami International Airport (MIA) serves South Florida and is about 55 miles from Downtown Delray Beach.
West Palm Beach Airport (PBI) is about 18 miles from Delray Beach.
Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) is 32 miles from Delray Beach via Interstate I-95.
Drive
Highway A1A is the most scenic drive along the beach between the Atlantic Ocean and Highway 1.
The fastest drive is on Interstate 95, which is toll-free in Florida for its entire length, except for I-95 Express into and out of Miami, which charges a fee.
Amtrak
Amtrak serves the Delray Beach station daily from points north, arriving at about 5:30 pm. Trains depart in the morning and afternoon, going north.
Getting Around Delray Beach
A ride-share service called Freebee carries passengers in a six-seater golf cart for free. It’s like Uber and Lyft, where you request a ride through their app. In this case, you tip the driver while the ride is free. Businesses in Delray Beach sponsor it.
Best Time Of Year To Go Delray Beach
If you plan to visit The Palm Beaches, consider visiting between December and April. The weather is generally mild and pleasant during these months, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to 80s Fahrenheit. When I was there in February, we had unseasonably cold weather in the 60s.
The months of December through February are the busiest ones in South Florida. The shoulder months of May and November have fewer crowds and lower prices. Hurricanes occur in the summer and bring hot and sultry temperatures.
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